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[Caroleann]

Hi Guys, haven't been on here for long while but I need some advice.
Mojo is 18 now and although I didn't put everything into practice advised on here ( not letting him out daily ) I did buy an Avian light, an air purifier and learnt to trust him a lot more.
Admittedly I am not the best parrot owner but love Mojo dearly and would not be without him.
 Now to the help bit. A friend of a friend of a friend contacted me regarding taking on her Grey. She has to rehome it due to her husband suffering from COPD. I didn't want another parrot initially and thought hubby would go ballistic - but he has been sussing out another cage for both birds with a divider.
I went to see the Grey - Oliver - and I really felt for it. Ollie has recently been laying eggs. She has an old rusted out cage which is crammed full of toys that it's owner says it plays with. In my opinion the cage is too busy and the bird has no room to move around. Still, what do I know?
Anyhow the big question being is - do I bring her cage with her and sit their cages side by side, or do I put them into a new double cage immediately with a divider, or as someone knowledgeable has advised - put them in together without?
As I am not good at handling parrots ( I do shower Mojo in bath almost daily ) I am very dubious and worried of the latter in case they fight.
Ollie is obviously loved very much by her female owner ( not a fan of the hubby apparently ) and will only let the wife handle her occasionally. She looks very similar in size to Mojo except her beak is marked from obvious rubbing? Her nails are very long and she has injured a leg when she landed on the hot cooker, but on the whole appears a happy little soul.
I want both birds to be happy and think they might benefit from the company. Mojo has enjoyed the company of our other pets - calling them all by name and becomes very attached easily.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

[kazky]

Don’t put them in together, it will be a very stressful situation for both birds as it is. I would get the double cage with separator but initially keep the new bird in her own cage until she becomes used to a new home.
I have always put my birds straight into a new cage but your new bird is a bit different.

Be aware they might hate each other and you’ll have to closely monitor when they are out of cage. Please let them out daily though. Good luck with it


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[Caroleann]

Have introduced parrots and I can not believe how quickly the new girlie has adapted to our home. Third day today and you'd have thought she had been here in her new cage for her entire 22 years. Will try and send a pic. Thanks guys your advice was spot on.

[kazky]

So glad it’s working out, she sounds lovely, definitely send some pics


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[Caroleann]

Tried sending pics but can't seem to? Find it even difficult navigating the forum if I'm honest. I am so pleased with how things have worked out and I am so glad I kept them separate. I don't think I will have any luck at handling her as she is terrified of coming out. Her previous owner said she hasn't been out since she landed on the cooker and got badly burnt. Her poor little feet and legs are really red and she must have been in agony. She has bonded with hubby and every time he approaches or passes, she bobs up and down dancing. He feeds her by hand and she can't seem to get enough of him as will climb around the cage to follow him. Strange as she did not like her previous owners husband? I thought she would be more for me? I need to find someone near me who is conversant with Greys for advice on both birds beaks and nails and who might give me advice on everything as all I know is what I have googled and read. She hates the spray bottle - screams, shrieks, squawks and flaps manically. I have put a bird bath up but it could take time for her to use it - if ever. Apparently she is used to being sprayed? Her cage has never been covered as previous owner says she  made holes in cover when a baby, but we cover them both at night and she appears to like it - as expected her to flap but has taken it in her stride. Plus I moved them both into the conservatory attached to the kitchen where most household activity happens and she would  need to be covered up in there at night. I will move them back into the living room in a few days so she gets accustomed to it - although they seem to prefer the conservatory and she has bonded with my 10 month Great Dane since being in there  - as he is in and out. He is obsessed with her and she has no fear of him. I can't leave him alone with her as am afraid he might push cage over although it is extra heavy as hubby had a new tray made for it and I can hardly pull it out. Can't believe how she adapted to new cage and different textured perches from day one. Hubby bought her a pedicure swing a week ago and she hasn't been near it as yet. She refuses to eat the Harrisons bird food even though I have reduced her sunflower seeds.  But on the whole I could not have wished for a better transition.

[kazky]

So good to hear that update. You’re doing everything right, it will just take time. Get lots of the nail trimming perches, avoid bright coloured ones as i’ve found mine never got used to them. Once she’s using them her beak and nails will look after themselves. I never have to trim my greys.

The site it’s too great to navigate, I agree!


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